AIAA Design Build Fly Team Coppertails - A Glider Launching Projec
Faculty Mentor Name
Johann Dorfling, Joseph Smith
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
The DBF club team Coppertails built HALO (High Altitude Lifting Operations), an aircraft designed to complete three flight missions and one ground mission in accordance with the requirements stated by AIAA. To optimize all mission scores, Coppertails designed HALO to have an empty weight of 1 3. 5 lb and a maximum payload of 12 lb for a combined total of 25.5 lb. Team Coppertails adhered to an iterative design process to advance the aircraft when feasible improvements were identified. HALO is a single-motor, high wing UAV with a conventional tail. A single tractor motor configuration was chosen because it provides sufficient thrust for all flight missions, increases propulsive efficiency, and reduces weight. To enhance payload capacity, a flat- bottomed fuselage was adopted, and a boom tail was employed to give the stabilizers sufficient authority given the large inertia of the aircraft. A high wing was implemented to allow easy access to the payload and avionics. To maximize mission scores, the team conducted a scoring optimization to decipher the M2 payload and maximum cruise speed. HALO is designed to complete M2 in 1 20 s carrying 12 lb of fuel payload. It is also anticipated to fly 8 laps in M3 before releasing the X-1 glider. Through flight testing, HALO has demonstrated sustained flight at a weight of 25.5 lb and cruise speeds of roughly 85 ft/s. HALO has also proven its full controllability at a maximum velocity of 110 ft/s. HALO's construction is a fiberglass and carbon fiber design, intended to utilize the advantage s of both materials to their fullest. The wing is designed to have detachable pylons with fuel tanks. The X-1 glider is a dihedral high wing with a conventional tail chosen for stability. The X-1 glider's construction is mostly 3D printed parts with balsa wood components for low weight while maintaining structural rigidity. The design is optimized to have interchangeable parts that can be readily replaced for fast repairs. The electronics have been selected for their minimalist qualities to conserve weight while enabling successful completion of the mission. An onboard flight controller will activate the strobe light and help maintain stable flight and direct the glider to the bonus box landing zone.
AIAA Design Build Fly Team Coppertails - A Glider Launching Projec
The DBF club team Coppertails built HALO (High Altitude Lifting Operations), an aircraft designed to complete three flight missions and one ground mission in accordance with the requirements stated by AIAA. To optimize all mission scores, Coppertails designed HALO to have an empty weight of 1 3. 5 lb and a maximum payload of 12 lb for a combined total of 25.5 lb. Team Coppertails adhered to an iterative design process to advance the aircraft when feasible improvements were identified. HALO is a single-motor, high wing UAV with a conventional tail. A single tractor motor configuration was chosen because it provides sufficient thrust for all flight missions, increases propulsive efficiency, and reduces weight. To enhance payload capacity, a flat- bottomed fuselage was adopted, and a boom tail was employed to give the stabilizers sufficient authority given the large inertia of the aircraft. A high wing was implemented to allow easy access to the payload and avionics. To maximize mission scores, the team conducted a scoring optimization to decipher the M2 payload and maximum cruise speed. HALO is designed to complete M2 in 1 20 s carrying 12 lb of fuel payload. It is also anticipated to fly 8 laps in M3 before releasing the X-1 glider. Through flight testing, HALO has demonstrated sustained flight at a weight of 25.5 lb and cruise speeds of roughly 85 ft/s. HALO has also proven its full controllability at a maximum velocity of 110 ft/s. HALO's construction is a fiberglass and carbon fiber design, intended to utilize the advantage s of both materials to their fullest. The wing is designed to have detachable pylons with fuel tanks. The X-1 glider is a dihedral high wing with a conventional tail chosen for stability. The X-1 glider's construction is mostly 3D printed parts with balsa wood components for low weight while maintaining structural rigidity. The design is optimized to have interchangeable parts that can be readily replaced for fast repairs. The electronics have been selected for their minimalist qualities to conserve weight while enabling successful completion of the mission. An onboard flight controller will activate the strobe light and help maintain stable flight and direct the glider to the bonus box landing zone.